Microbial cellulose biofilms: medical applications in the field of urology

A. SORDELLI; M.V. TUPA; P. CERRUTTI; M.L. FORESTI

Microbial biofilms: applications and control

CRC Press

Lugar: Boca Ratón; Año: 2022; p. 1 - 43

Although they are often associated with spoilage or diseases, most microorganisms are innocuous or even beneficial for the rest of living forms. In fact, microorganisms and their products have turned essential for human health care. In particular, several materials derived from different microbial polymer biofilms currently deserve much importance in the medical field. Among them, bacterial cellulose is a water-insoluble extracellular polysaccharide with a characteristic nanofibrillar structure which in the last two decades has received great attention based on its outstanding properties and the variety of applications envisaged. In the current chapter, the most relevant aspects of bacterial cellulose production and its main characteristics are first summarized. Then bacterial cellulose uses in medicine, and in particular those in the field of urology are reviewed. Literature revision showed that the research efforts of the last few years have led to significant advances in the development of promising BC scaffolds for urethral and bladder reconstruction, less invasive therapies for urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction, effective BC dressings for postoperative wound healing in the urogenital area, and alternative treatment of urinary tract infections.